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Chhattisgarh Clears Critical Groundwater Blocks, Targets Security by 2030
Chhattisgarh says no development block is now in the critical groundwater category.
This means no block is currently considered to be using groundwater at the critical level.
The state recorded a record 14.65 billion cubic metres of groundwater recharge in 2026.
Total groundwater extraction fell slightly to 6.21 billion cubic metres.
Twelve blocks improved, and 127 blocks are now in the safe category.
Farmers in Bemetara and Rajnandgaon planted much less summer rice, which reduced water use.
Ponds, small water bodies, rainwater harvesting and other conservation structures helped recharge groundwater.
Nineteen blocks are still semi-critical and need more attention.
The government wants every block to be in the safe category by 2030.
All five blocks classified as critical in 2025 have moved out of that category, leaving none critical in 2026.
Groundwater recharge reached a record 14.65 billion cubic metres, up from 11.57 BCM in 2017.
Total groundwater extraction fell from 6.30 BCM to 6.21 BCM, while the extraction stage declined to 46.37 per cent.
Twelve development blocks improved, raising the number in the safe category to 127; 19 blocks remain semi-critical across 11 districts.
Reduced summer paddy cultivation in Bemetara and Rajnandgaon contributed to lower groundwater use, while the state targets complete groundwater safety by 2030.
- Who
- The Chhattisgarh government, farmers, local communities, state departments and field personnel were involved; Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced the 2030 target.
- What
- The Groundwater Resources Assessment-2026 found that no Chhattisgarh development block remains in the critical groundwater extraction category.
- Where
- Chhattisgarh, including the districts of Bemetara and Rajnandgaon.
- When
- The findings were reported on September 9; the articles differ on whether the report was issued on Wednesday or Thursday.
- Why
- Officials attributed the improvement to increased groundwater recharge, water-conservation structures, rainwater harvesting, reduced summer paddy cultivation, crop diversification and more responsible water use.
Key facts
- Critical blocks
- The number fell from nine in 2020 and five in 2025 to zero in 2026.
- Improved blocks
- Groundwater status improved in 12 development blocks, while 127 blocks are now classified as safe.
- Annual recharge
- Groundwater recharge reached 14.65 BCM in 2026, compared with 11.57 BCM in 2017.
- Total extraction
- Groundwater extraction declined from 6.30 BCM in the previous assessment to 6.21 BCM in 2026.
- Extraction stage
- The extraction stage fell from 49.5 per cent in 2022 to 46.37 per cent in 2026.
- Conservation structures
- The assessment recorded 2,28,736 water-conservation structures across the state.
- Remaining challenge
- Nineteen development blocks across 11 districts remain semi-critical, with the state targeting complete groundwater safety by 2030.
Quotes
Vishnu Deo Sai
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister
“The elimination of critical blocks is an important milestone, but our goal is to bring every development block into the safe groundwater category by 2030”
theprint.in
Sources
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